Bila-Haut, Côtes du Roussillon Blanc

It’s time to check in on a new vintage of a wine that is on my list reliably-good, bargain favorites. The Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc Côtes du Roussillon from Michel Chapoutier. It’s been a few years since I reviewed this wine, the last vintage I reviewed was the 2014 and they’re up to the 2017 now.

This wine comes from the Côtes du Roussillon region in southern France. One thing that makes this wine somewhat unique that only 4% of the wine produced from this region is white wine. So you won’t find many other wines like it.

The blend of grapes is rather unique too, including grenache blanc, marsanne, macabeo and vermentino. I’m always thrilled to try something different and I’m even more thrilled when that something different becomes something great.

Grapefruit, lemon and salty ocean air aromas give this wine a pleasant and intriguing nose. On the palate it delivers crisp lime flavors along with some melon flavors that add a roundness to the wine. There’s a touch of saltiness on the mid-palate and finish. The mouthfeel is nice and the acidity is sufficient. Overall it’s a nice, food-friendly wine.

Wine: Michel Chapoutier, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut, Côtes du Roussillon
Varieties: 50 % grenache blanc, 20% marsanne, 20% macabeo, and 10% vermentino
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 86
Average price: $15.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.